Britt Rios-Ellis

brittrios

Britt Rios-Ellis

I am a 47 year-old mother of three and health professor traveling in Europe with my family. We love to travel but, being that our schedule is packed, and the three were younger than they are now (8, 19, 13) this is the first time I have had a chance to blog. This is intended for family and friends who would enjoy sharing our adventures!

July 18th through the 24th The International AIDS Conference was just the overload I expected. On Sunday we headed for the Messe Prater (Vienna Convention Center) to pick up my conference registration and head for a session on the US National AIDS Strategy. I was partially motivated by the strategy, but also knew that I would find Margarita there, which I did. She was swamped with multiple governmental roles but fit in a few dinner opportunities. Clinton’s speech was subtly brilliant, as always, and his caution on making false choices in times of economic recession was spot on. The kids were thrilled that on the side of the Messe Prater was Vienna’s top theme park with some amazing rides that couldn’t be found in the states-Quique assured me that he has done his research on the ... read more

July 17th 9:20pm on our way back to Vienna Our trip to Budapest was much too short but we packed everything that was humanly possible while still taking time to enjoy the incredibly warm and welcoming people we met along the way. When we arrived at the station we immediately checked out the “real” tourist information office for our Hop On Hop Off tickets, information on the walking tour, and the rest. Ramahim gave us an extra map and Aida even walked with us to the bank machine so that we wouldn’t get lost! We were going to tube it to the hotel but met a taxi driver who assured us that he wouldn’t rip us off and that the “Taliban” hanging around the tourist office didn’t know what they were talking about when they said ... read more

July 16th After three red-eyes in a row for me we are finally here. Right before we left I was invited to attend a reception at the White House to honor the AIDS community and the only way I could make the time after the NCLR conference was to red-eye it both ways. The trip to the White House was definitely worth it beyond a doubt but by the time we arrived in Vienna last night I was simply exhausted. The emergency exit door looking very tempting over Greenland for while during the flight but Enrique with his old soul patience and a few words of wisdom got me through some anxious moments. The flight to Zurich was long and on the flight to Vienna I met the Insurance supervisor for the Country of Vienna who ... read more